INTRODUCTION

PEOPLE
Yano
Romeo Lee
Manny Villar
Nur Misuari
Benjie Paras
Dino Ignacio
Eraserheads
Jerry Barican
Obet Verzola
Jessica Zafra
Zider Lubiano
Myla Algarme
Gary Granada
Raymond Red
Mike Defensor
Jerome Bailen
Eric Altamirano
Amante Jimenez
Miriam Defensor
Malou Mangahas

ISSUES
ID
UAAP
STFAP
US Bases
Collegian
Frat Violence
SAMASA split
SR controversy
Sexual Harassment

"The social value of our professions is located only in the service of the masses."

Thus were the words of student leader Fernando Barican during his student days in UP. Condemning the policies of the Marcos government, he led rallies and mass demonstrations. Ironically, he is now known as Presidential Spokesperson Fernando "Jerry" Barican, working in the Palace of a Marcos-like government.

Barican, a Political Science major, first served in the University Student Council (USC) as a councilor in 1968. A member of Samahan ng Demokratikong Kabataan (SDK), he was the first member of a progressive student organization to be elected Chairperson. The USC then was a driving force in student activism. Barican led the institution in mobilizing student actions and mass movements denouncing the Marcos administration. He also became a vital leader during the First Quarter Storm, the upsurge of the student movement in UP.

It was under his term that the USC lobbied for a Student Regent (SR). They demanded for a student representative to the Board of Regents, the highest policy-making body in UP. Barican, in turn, became the first Student Regent on February 1970.

Up until his graduation as cum laude in April 1970, Barican did not fail to militantly register his condemnation of the flawed educational system. Together with other students, he carried a red banner during his graduation rites as a sign of protest.

When Barican took up his law proper in UP, he joined the Philippine Collegian and became associate editor from academic years 1970-1971 and 1972-1973. He wrote articles which scrupulously criticized the administration.

As expected, when Marcos declared Martial Law, he was among the students detained.

Barican finished his law proper and graduated in 1975. He then taught in UP before he flew to Harvard University for his masterals in law. Surprisingly, he became a fellow of the US Congress - this after he condemned US Imperialism during his student days in UP.

Coming home with a new set of principles and perspectives, the former student activist became a corporate lawyer and business executive. He also became a columnist of the Manila Standard but his articles failed to measure up to the socially relevant and critical tone of his Collegian years. Inevitably, by the end of 1998, Barican was appointed spokesperson by President Joseph Estrada.

Literally the voicebox of the president, he had supported him in every course. He is known to be Estrada's "lifeguard" whenever he is in hot water. One case was when the president became irked by the Philippine Inquirer. Barican repeatedly barred the newspaper's reporters from Malacañang.

Barican had also asked the people not to "demonize" Erap during the controversial Charter Change issue. He even admonished the activists for "living under the shadow of the Marcos years" - this is very startling to hear from one who had led such actions during his prime.

Truly, it is not a crime to change one's mind, but Barican's case is quite pitiful. He became the very character which he once condemned.